Atlanta vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 8% more affordable than Atlanta. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Georgia's 5.75%.

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At a glance

Atlanta, GA

COL index99
State income tax5.75%
Avg 1BR rent$1,550/mo
Median home price$390K
VS

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAtlanta indexHouston indexDifference
Housing129118 ✓-11%
Groceries9487 ✓-7%
Transportation9588 ✓-7%
Healthcare9688 ✓-8%
Utilities9589 ✓-6%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Atlanta → Houston

What salary in Houston gives you the same purchasing power as your Atlanta salary?

Salary in AtlantaEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$68,000$-12,000
$100,000$84,000$-16,000
$130,000$110,000$-20,000
$150,000$127,000$-23,000
$200,000$169,000$-31,000

Atlanta vs Houston: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 99 for Atlanta — a difference of approximately 8%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers an immediate 5.75% take-home pay advantage over Atlanta workers who pay Georgia's 5.75% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Atlanta is $390,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,550/month in Atlanta versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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